It’s festival season in Huron County

Come join the team of Ontario Travel Divas as they trip about Huron County and beyond, relaying their adventures along the way. If you want to take a vacation, have a beach day, explore the best food and agriculture around or even just wine and dine they’ll discover a spot for you to do just that on Ontario’s West Coast, your countryside and coastline.

Huron County is alive with festivals and events all summer long. There is simply no shortage of activities for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy. Ranging from world-class music festivals to arts and crafts, live theatre, car shows, motor sports, birding, and fishing festivals, there really is something for everyone. Many are offered outdoors in the streets, on the beach or in wonderful park venues. And, while many activities and events are free, these gatherings are all quite accessible and offer a sense of belonging to a community with other like-minded people.

This weekend (July 10 to July 13) the Kinsmen Club of Goderich is hosting Summerfest – a popular family festival that includes a midway on Kingston Street and lots of fun activities on the beach in Goderich, including a youth talent contest showcase, free live music, food and refreshments. For more information visit www.goderichkinsmen.ca. You can follow Goderich Kinsmen on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the minute event updates.

Bach Music Festival’s artistic director, Gerald Fagan.

This weekend also kicks off the biennial Bach Music Festival in South Huron. The inaugural festival sold out two years ago, so don’t miss your chance to enjoy world-class music at one of the evening concerts offered nightly from July 14 to July 20 or during the free lunch hour concerts series. Pack your lunch or visit one of the local restaurants that are supporting the Brown Bag Lunch Series by offering Bach-elicious lunch specials all week long. This is music at its finest being offered right here in Huron County.

Coming up on July 20 is the Birding Festival hosted by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (and they just hosted a Fishing Festival a week or so ago.) This day is “devoted to our feathered friends.” Learn tips and tricks to identify birds by sight and sound. Enjoy a Birds of Prey Flying Demonstration, Special Activities and Games, and take part in the FRCA Bird Olympics.

Last weekend, the Huron Women’s Shelter and Second Stage Housing hosted the annual Festival of Arts Crafts. This annual event has typically been housed on The Square in Goderich but after the tornado a new home needed to be found. This year, the festival was held at Lions Harbour Park on the banks of beautiful Lake Huron. Eighty-eight artisans, crafters, painters, photographers and sculptors displayed and sold their creations during the free, outdoor, three-day festival. Attending this festival has become an annual tradition for me as I hunt for the perfect gifts for summer wedding or birthday. This year I treated myself to a fun pair of drop earrings hand-crafted by Jen McKee of jeelee joolery and purchased two gifts – whimsical one-of-a-kind clocks featuring watercolours filled with bright, unique hand-drawn images from Malu Comboye whose business name Skip to Malu Designs struck my fancy. I know my friends will enjoy these too.